America continues the decline into “part time nation” status

In the new landscape of the American labor market, jobs are easier to come by but hours remain in short supply.

New government data slated for release Thursday is expected to show the economy added more than 200,000 jobs for the fifth straight month — the longest streak since the late 1990s. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 6.3 percent after falling more than a percentage point over the past year. [Note from ST: Itdropped to 6.1 – for these reasons]

But there’s a gnawing fear among economists that the improving data provides false comfort. More than 26 million people are in part-time jobs, significantly more than before the recession, making it one of the corners of the labor market that has been slowest to heal. That has led to worries that the workforce may be becoming permanently polarized, with part-timers stuck on one side and full-time workers on the other.

“What we’re seeing is a growing trend of low-quality part-time jobs,” said Carrie Gleason, director of the Fair Work Week Initiative, which is pushing for labor reforms. “It’s creating this massive unproductive workforce that is unable to productively engage in their lives or in the economy.”

Washington has begun to take notice. As the unemployment rate has dropped, the debate among policymakers has expanded from providing aid to those without a job to include improving conditions for those who do. President Obama has raised the minimum wage for federal contract workers, many of whom are part-time. The White House is also building support for a measure that would require companies to provide paid sick leave. Nationwide protests at retailers and fast-food chains that heavily rely on part-time labor have called for more reliable schedules.

NONE of which will “fix” the problem. Frankly, at this point the only thing that would fix it is to have another President in the White House who understands basic economics. November 2016 can’t come soon enough.

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5 thoughts on “America continues the decline into “part time nation” status”

Number came in at 288,000 but working hours remained the same at 34 so what does this tell us? More part time jobs being created during the summer months. Construction jobs, many landscaping jobs, fast food places stay open later during the summer so they need more help. And the hourly wage continues to remain down. Your not going to pay a good wage for part time help. Plus the number of Americans working is at its lowest level in 30 plus years. How’s that for hope and change? Oh and don’t forget those illegals taking jobs that they claim Americans won’t do. If that were true, then why do farmers complain they can’t get help harvesting their crops. The Illegals here are taking the better part time jobs so Americans end up without work. :)>-:)>-

Number came in at 288,000 but working hours remained the same at 34 so what does this tell us? More part time jobs being created during the summer months. Construction jobs, many landscaping jobs, fast food places stay open later during the summer so they need more help. And the hourly wage continues to remain down. Your not going to pay a good wage for part time help. Plus the number of Americans working is at its lowest level in 30 plus years. How’s that for hope and change? Oh and don’t forget those illegals taking jobs that they claim Americans won’t do. If that were true, then why do farmers complain they can’t get help harvesting their crops. The Illegals here are taking the better part time jobs so Americans end up without work. :)>-:)>-

In the famous words of a former Clintonista, “It’s the economy, stupid!”

And it will continue to be “the economy, stupid” until our socialist Executive and legislative branches (especially the executive, with all its departments being run by socialists top-to-bottom) realize socialism is a failed theory that has never, ever come close to realizing the wonders in real life that the socialist theorists wish.

What can you expect when the worst president ever is at the helm? See what happens when voters are stupid enough to let the media pick their president? They are inept at that as well as objectively reporting the news and wonder why they are operating in the red.

It does not matter how much you pay hourly help that is employed “slinging hash”. They’ll still be disgruntled enough to spit in your food order.